The next morning Joe and Samantha found a message from the captain waiting for them on Joe’s terminal.  “Request granted.  Ensign Wildman should contact me to discuss details and a date.”

“Joe, if we can decide how soon we want to get married, I can catch the captain in the mess hall this morning before my shift.”

“Honey, I’m ready to get married right now so any date you pick is fine with me.  Why don’t you discuss the timing with the captain?  There may be some reasons she would want to postpone it a bit.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to be part of this conversation, Joe?”

“I’m sure.  Just remember, the sooner the better as far as I’m concerned.  You might consider that we’ll have to ask the commander for an adjustment to our duty shifts for the ceremony.”

“If you’re sure?  OK, then I’d better hurry so I have time to eat something before the captain and commander show up.  I hope this is one of the mornings when she comes in first.”

“I’ll see you at lunch then, Sam.  Just relax.  The captain isn’t going to be difficult about the details.  The hard part is behind us now.”  Sam rushed out the door forgetting to kiss Joe goodbye.  Joe sighed.  Women and weddings were something he did not understand but he knew it would be worth it once it was behind them.

Samantha Wildman rushed into the mess hall anxiously looking around for Captain Janeway.  She breathed a little easier when she did not see either the captain or commander in line or at their customary table.  She quickly selected her breakfast from the serving line and found a table near the one they usually shared.  She was slightly upset when she saw the command team enter together, but sighed with relief as the captain headed for ‘their’ table and the commander headed for the serving line.  Samantha quickly rose to her feet and approached the captain.

“Good morning, Captain.”

“Good morning, Sam.”

“If it’s convenient, I was hoping you could talk to me for a few minutes when you’ve finished your breakfast and before my shift starts today.”

“Why don’t you join us for breakfast?  That way we can have more time to talk.”

“I don’t want to intrude, Captain.”

“You’re not intruding, besides, Chakotay will probably have to be involved sooner or later if you want to talk about your wedding.”

“Well, OK, Captain, if you’re sure you don’t mind the intrusion.”  Samantha quickly retrieved her tray and took a seat opposite the captain at the table.  Chakotay had seen Samantha approach Kathryn so was not surprised to find that she had joined them for breakfast.  The only thing that surprised him was that Joe had not come with her.

Samantha quickly summarized the discussion she and Joe had about the date for their wedding.

“I really would like to get married as soon as possible.  I think Joe will relax and we can request joint quarters and get settled before we have to announce to the rest of the crew that we’re having a baby.”

What Samantha didn’t know was that Kathryn and Chakotay had anticipated a quick wedding and had already figured out the optimal day as far as scheduling duty shifts and away team assignments.  They knew the entire crew would be more than willing to celebrate with Sam and Joe.

“Well, I don’t know how soon we can rearrange the schedules.  What do you think, Chakotay?  A couple weeks minimum?”

“We might be able to do better than two weeks.  Let me think.”  Chakotay paused as he scrolled through a pad he happened to have with him but which had nothing on it related to the duty roster.  “I think I can take care of everything in, say, three days, Sam?”  Kathryn and Chakotay both smiled at Sam’s expression.

“I’m sorry, Sam.  Chakotay and I just assumed from the things you said to me and those Joe said to him that you’d want to get married rather quickly.  Chakotay juggled the roster this morning.  There are some things I’m going to have to insist on as captain.  We can’t let the entire crew off for the wedding.  I’d like you and Joe to pick 20 or 30 of your closest friends and get the list to Chakotay so he can get their shifts rearranged for your wedding.  The other thing is that I don’t imagine the crew will let you get away without a huge reception after the wedding.  It would be easier for the mess hall staff if you had the reception overlap the evening meal so they won’t have to do double duty.  I’m sorry I have to make so many of your plans for you, Sam.  I know it’s your wedding, but it’s Voyager’s first wedding out here and it’s important that everyone be included or involved in some way.  I hope you understand and find these requirements tolerable.”

“Captain, I never expected more than a few people at the ceremony and certainly not a big reception.  What you just described is more than tolerable; it’s wonderful!  How can I ever thank you, Captain?”

“Sam, there are still a few things to decide.  What kind of ceremony?  What time do you want the ceremony?  What would you like served at the reception?  It needs to be a meal, but I think you should get to pick the menu.  Talk it over with the catering manager and work it out between the two of you.  Make sure you get a wedding cake big enough to serve the entire crew.  Where do you want the reception?  If you want it outside, you and Joe should pick out a site so we can have it checked out before the wedding.  What are you going to wear?  What do you want the guests to wear?  Uniforms, casual, formal?”

“Excuse me, ladies.  Captain, I’ll cover the bridge until you’re finished here and I’ll advise Ensign Wildman’s shift supervisor that she’s with you and will be there when you’ve finished.  With your permission, Captain?”  At Kathryn’s nod, Chakotay finally extricated himself from the conversation under the guise of duty.

“Granted, Chakotay.  I’ll be up in a few minutes.” Kathryn returned to the conversation barely breaking stride in the plans yet to be finalized. Chakotay took the three trays but left the women their beverages more grateful than ever that his wedding had been so secret that no plans could be made. He had a feeling that Kathryn was going to get more involved in this wedding because hers had been so small. If it made her happy he would help with the arrangements as much as he could. He noticed Joe coming toward the mess hall.

“Joe, you and Sam need to make a list of wedding guests, 20 to 30 maximum and get the list to me by 09:00 tomorrow, OK?  I’m also going to take the two of you off the first half of your shifts tomorrow so you can pick a location for the wedding ceremony.  I’ll advise you and your supervisors about the change, but I won’t mention why.  Sam has the details, just don’t forget that list, OK?”  Joe looked perplexed.  He had obviously missed something, but if Sam had the details then they could sort it out later.

“Yes, Commander.  Thank you.”  Chakotay was already continuing on his way before Joe finished speaking.

When Kathryn finally came to the bridge she found Tuvok in command and Chakotay in her ready room working on the duty roster.  He looked up as she entered.

“Hi.  Permission to kiss the captain?”  Chakotay gathered his pads and stood up from her desk.

“Permission granted.”  Kathryn chuckled at the ritual.  Chakotay kissed her slowly and held her close for a minute.

“Using my desk again, Commander?”

“As often as I can, Captain.  It is easier than working on the bridge, you know.”

“I know very well.  Will you post Joe and Sam’s wedding announcement when the details are finalized?”

“Certainly.  Captain, I was supposed to post another wedding notice, if you recall?”

“That’s right.  I’d almost forgotten.  What about that notice?”

“Well, if we post it before Sam and Joe get married, it will certainly distract the crew from their wedding.  I think we should wait to post the other notice at least until the day after their wedding.”

“You’re probably right.  Go ahead and delay posting that other notice.  Do you wish we had had a big wedding?”

“No, Kathryn, I do not.  I am perfectly happy with our wedding just the way it was.  Why?  Are you sorry we didn’t have a big wedding?”

“Not really.  What we had was the most we could handle under the circumstances.  It just would have been fun, that’s all.”  He saw the regret in her eyes that they couldn’t have managed a more traditional wedding but could see no regret for having gotten married.  He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head.

“How about a big first anniversary party for the entire crew?”

“Really?  You wouldn’t mind?”

“Of course not. Just as long as I don’t have to do the planning, a big party would be fun.  Hey, I’d better get back to work.  The captain can be a real stickler if I slack off on the job too much.  Meet me for lunch at 13:00, Kathryn?”

“OK.  I’ll see you then, Chakotay.”

About half way through Alpha Shift Tom entered engineering.  He saw an unexpected amount of activity.  Everybody was busy at a station or hurrying from one part of the room to another.  He finally spotted B’Elanna on the upper level involved in a conversation with Vorik.  As soon as they finished speaking with each other, Tom signaled for B’Elanna to come down to talk with him.

“What do you want, Tom?”

“You. Your duty shift ended two hours ago and I want to go for a walk with you. Come on, they all know what they’re doing and what will happen if they don’t do it while you’re gone.”

B’Elanna looked around at her department.  There was so much they could do while on the planet that just could not be done as well in space that she hated to leave.  The truth was she knew Tom was right.  She had her best people finishing the repairs and recalibration of the landing thrusters and the others did all know what they were doing and what she expected.

“OK, Tom, but if anything goes wrong while we’re gone, you are going to explain to the captain just exactly why I wasn’t here.”

“That’s fine by me, B’Elanna, just as long as you come with me.  Come on, let’s get changed.”  They headed for their quarters to change into more comfortable clothing.

Tom led the way across the field where Voyager had landed and headed into a wooded area.  They hiked briskly for a while, then slowed so they could walk side by side.  The looked at the plants and flowers, marveling at the colors and varieties that were so like those on Earth and yet so different.  They wandered through the woods looking at all the different plants and flowers trying to decide which Earth plants they most resembled.  After walking for an hour, they found a natural clearing near a stream where they stopped to rest and just enjoy the sun and fresh air.  Tom found a spot next to a rock to use as a backrest and flopped down on the ground.  B’Elanna soon joined him.  They had been sitting in companionable silence for about five minutes when Tom spoke.

“B’Elanna?”  Tom’s voice was hesitant, almost wary, as if what he was going to say was frightening.  B’Elanna wondered what Tom would be afraid to say.

“You know I love you, right?  And I know you love me.”

“Yes.”  B’Elanna wondered where Tom was going with this.

“B’Elanna, would you marry me?”  B’Elanna was shocked.  She never expected Tom to want to get married.  It went against everything he seemed to be.  B’Elanna knew that Tom was far from the persona he usually presented to others, but she didn’t think he was that different.

“Why, Tom?  We’re already living together.  The only time you even use your quarters is when I’m on duty and you’re not.  Gracious, even the commander and captain know that.  They assigned us adjoining quarters.  Why do you want to get married?”

“I love you, B’Elanna.  I want everyone, especially you, to know I’m with you for the rest of my life.”  That was a tough one for B’Elanna to answer.  She believed what Tom was telling her, yet a part of her denied what she was hearing.

“I love you, too, but I don’t want to get married.  I know you think you want to get married, but what if you change your mind in a couple of months or next year?”

“I’m not going to change my mind in a month, or a year, or a lifetime, B’Elanna and I think you know that.  What’s the real reason you don’t want to marry me?”

“Look, Paris, I said I don’t want to marry you.  I’m not sure we’re such a good idea anymore.  Maybe we should see other people for a while.”  B’Elanna stood up and started to walk away, but Tom was on his feet to stop her, grabbing her arms to hold her still.

“No way, Torres.  You didn’t answer my question.  I know you love me and you know I love you.  Are you afraid of committing yourself to a lifetime with me?  Is that what you can’t admit to me or to yourself?  You’re running away because you’re afraid to be happy.”  Tom’s anger subsided and he loosened his grip on B’Elanna.

“If you can look me in the eyes and tell me that you don’t love me and don’t want us to get married, I’ll walk away right now.  But unless you can tell me those two things and look me in the eye when you say the words, you’d better come up with a better excuse for not getting married because I’m not letting you run away from us just because you’re scared.”

Tom let go of B’Elanna’s arms.  He put his finger under her chin and tilted it up so he could look her in the eyes for her answer.  What he saw scared him; B’Elanna looked completely defenseless.  Tom opened his arms to her and she collapsed into them and held on to him so tightly he could barely breathe.  He lowered his voice to barely a whisper.

“I love you, B’Elanna.  Marry me?”

“Oh, Tom, I love you but I’m so afraid of losing you.  I know I’m not the easiest person to get along with.  I’m scared I’ll drive you away, that someday I’ll hurt you so badly you have to leave me.”

“We’ll, that isn’t going to happen.  You’re stuck with me, Torres, so you don’t have to be afraid that I’ll leave.  So, was that a yes?”

“Yes.  I’ll marry you but you have to tell the captain and get Chakotay’s permission.  He’s the closest thing to family I have and I need to know he approves.”  Tom sighed with relief.  For a moment he had thought she really was going to walk away from him.

“I think I can handle that.”  Tom thought, "Chakotay must know about us and approve of our relationship or he wouldn’t have assigned us quarters next to each other.  I think I can get him to help convince the captain." He turned his attention back to the woman in his arms, pulling her closer.

“Come here, B’Elanna, let’s not waste a perfectly good clearing.  I want to kiss my fiancé properly.”

Later that evening Tom caught up with Chakotay as they were leaving the mess hall.  “Commander, could I have a few moments of your time?  In private?”

Chakotay paused a moment before signally Tom to accompany him as he continued down the hall toward the turbolift.

“Sounds serious, Tom.  Official or personal?”

“Actually a bit of both, sir.”  They entered the turbolift and Chakotay gave their destination.  Since they were the only two on the lift, Tom continued.

“Well, I guess this is the personal part.  I’d like your permission to marry B’Elanna, Chakotay.”

“What?”  Chakotay was clearly not expecting that.

“Well, you’re the closest thing she has to family and she insists that I obtain your permission before she’ll marry me.”  At that point, the doors of the turbolift interrupted their conversation by opening on to the bridge.  Chakotay looked at Tom before nodding his head toward his office and exiting the turbolift.

“Ensign, please advise the captain when she arrives that I will be in my office if she needs me.  You have the bridge.” Tom followed Chakotay into his office.  Chakotay sat down and indicated that Tom should also be seated.

“OK, Tom.  I’ll admit that you’ve surprised me this time. Why?”

“Why do I want to marry B’Elanna?”

“No, why does she think the two of you need my permission?”

“Well, she didn’t really explain it, so this is what I think.  You’re more like a brother than a friend to B’Elanna and you were her captain for a long time. She’s scared that she’ll drive me away someday. I know she trusts you and I think she wants your agreement that I’m sincere about a lifetime with her.”

“Are you?”

“Of course. I just went all through this with B’Elanna.”

“Well, tell me the same things. Why?”

“All right! You want the words, fine!  I love her, Chakotay. With all my heart, I love that crazy half-Klingon. Yes, there are times when I want nothing more than to find a nice, quiet, gentle girl and have a little peace in my life. Those times last about five seconds before I realize that I would be bored with that quiet little girl. Part of the reason I love B’Elanna is because she is so fiery and unexpected. I’m not missing the quiet little girl because there’s one inside B’Elanna that you seldom see but I have seen her. She’s strong but she can be vulnerable and she hates people to see that side of her. B’Elanna is a roiling kettle and I’m never sure what will come to the surface next. She makes life exciting. She gives my life meaning. Chakotay, I don’t know what words you need to hear. I love her.”

“Those will do, Tom.  Not that you two need it, but you have my permission to marry B’Elanna.  You both deserve some happiness but I’m making her happiness your responsibility.”  Chakotay paused for a moment, then continued.

“Tom, I need to say some things to you as officers, not friends.  Please, take what I’m going to say as something I would say to any senior officers who just told me they were getting married.  If the day should ever come when you and B’Elanna disagree very seriously or decide to terminate your relationship, you both have to handle it in such a way that it does not divide the crew.  A break in the relationship between two senior officers could divide this crew.  Specifically with the two of you, it could lead to a division aligning the former Maquis against Academy graduates.  I’m not saying you two can’t fight and couldn’t end your relationship or marriage whenever you wanted, just that you have to keep any dissent between the two of you.  Kathryn and I would both be more than willing to listen if either of you ever needs a shoulder or friendly ear, but we won’t be able to take sides publicly.”

“I think I understand what you’re saying, Chakotay.  This marriage will involve more people than just the two of us.  It’s almost like it would be for you and the captain.  If you ever got married, it would be almost impossible for you to split up later.”  Tom didn’t notice the strange look on Chakotay’s face.

“Good, now there are two more points to address. The first is I would like you and B’Elanna not to tell anyone your news until you’ve talked to Joe Carey and Sam Wildman. In just under an hour, a notice is going on the board announcing their wedding plans. Their wedding will take place in three days.”

“That’s great news!  It’s fine with me if we talk to them before we tell anyone else. B’Elanna will probably be thrilled to put off telling people. What’s the last point?”

“I don’t know.  You said you had professional business, too.”

“I almost forgot!  I still need to get the captain’s approval.  I wondered if you would give me some advice on how to get that approval.”

“Well, I suppose it is fair to say that I think the captain will require convincing that you are serious about the lifetime commitment.”

“Man!” Tom’s sigh could have been heard in a noisy room.  It conveyed his frustration.

“First I have to convince B’Elanna I’m sincere.  She loves me and I still have to convince her.  Then I have to convince you that I’m sincere.  You’re the exec on the ship where I serve and know me better than most other people, and I still have to convince you.  Now you tell me that I have to convince the captain of the same thing.  I am not good at this, Chakotay.”  Tom had not noticed when the captain entered Chakotay’s office about half way through Tom’s speech.

“Why do you have to convince me you’re sincere?”  Tom nearly jumped out of his skin when Kathryn spoke.  He turned toward the voice then jumped to his feet.  Chakotay also rose.

“As you were, Gentlemen.”

“Captain.”  Chakotay nodded at the captain’s instructions and sat back down.

“Captain!  I didn’t mean anything insubordinate, captain.  I’m sorry.”  Tom fidgeted where he stood so flustered he had not even realizing he had not answered the Captain’s question.  Kathryn smiled and tried again after exchanging glances with Chakotay.

“Why do you want me to believe you are sincere, Tom?”  Tom collected his wits that had been scattered around the room by the captain’s first words.

“I want to marry B’Elanna and I need your permission.  First I had to convince B’Elanna I was sincere; then I had to convince Chakotay; and now I have to convince you.”

“Why Chakotay?”

“Oh, B’Elanna insisted that he give us his permission because he is the closest thing to a family she has out here.”

“OK, Commander Paris, convince me.”

“Ma’am?”

“Convince me you’re sincere about marrying B’Elanna.  Why do you want to marry her?”

“The bottom line, Captain, is that I love her.”  Tom waited for the captain’s response.  Kathryn walked around Chakotay’s desk stopping just short of touching him.  Kathryn and Chakotay exchanged a long look before Kathryn turned to look Tom in the eyes.

“Chakotay, have you discussed some of the ramifications this could have on the crew?”

“Yes, Kathryn.  I pointed out some possible scenarios and made it clear that in such an event, the two of them would have to work things out between them.”

“Good.  Tom, I hope you’ll forgive me for putting you through this someday, but you have my permission to get married.  I wish you and B’Elanna the very best!  Tell her to see me when you’ve selected a date.   Now get out of here; go tell her the good news!”

“Thank you, Captain!  Thank you, Commander!”  Tom was out the door before Kathryn and Chakotay could speak.  Kathryn turned to Chakotay after Tom left.

“Well, there goes wedding number two.  We’re going to have problems if they continue at this rate.”

“What kind of problems?”

“We’ll have two of every name on the ship if the women follow Earth custom and take their husband’s name.  That could get confusing in memos and using the com system.”

“Why don’t we just set the standard right away?  No name changes on the duty roster.  Personnel files can be changed if the person really wants them changed.  They can sort out with their friends what they want to be called socially.”

“OK.  I’ll let you explain this to the four of them.”

“Me? I can handle duplicate names on the duty roster.  You should explain it since you’re the one who thinks it could become a problem.”  Chakotay couldn’t help but tease Kathryn a little.  Kathryn decided to repay his teasing with some teasing of her own.  She slowly walked around Chakotay’s chair trailing her fingers along the back of his neck and down his arm.

“Please?  I can make it worth your while later if you’ll tell them.”

“What’s wrong with making it worth my while right now?”

“I don’t think this is the place.”  Kathryn looked around the room pointedly.  While comfortably furnished, it really didn’t have a great deal to offer as a suitable location for what she had in mind.

“My place?  Ten minutes?”  Kathryn pulled away and left his office.  Chakotay gave her a few minutes to leave the bridge and then followed her out.  Yes, teasing was sometimes a very good idea and the payback could be quite enjoyable.

Tom found B’Elanna in engineering just closing an access panel near the main phaser controls.  He kept his voice low as he spoke.

“It’s all set.  All you have to do is let the captain know the date.”

“That’s it?  No arguments?  No deciding how this will impact the rest of the crew?”  B’Elanna was astounded.  She had expected long delays if not an outright refusal.  As Tom watched her face, he was afraid she would change her mind, so he decided he’d better distract her before she had time to change her mind.

“That’s it!  Oh, I almost forgot, we can’t tell anyone else until we talk to Joe and Samantha.”

“Joe and Sam?”  B’Elanna’s puzzled expression said more than words could have.

“Sam and Joe are getting married in three days.”

“You’re kidding about Sam and Joe, right?”

Tom sighed in relief.  B’Elanna had well and truly been distracted by the news of another wedding.

“Nope.  Their notice is already posted on the bulletin board. Ours will be posted after their wedding. We’re not the first to want to get married. Sam and Joe will beat us to the altar.”

“I am really happy for them.  I knew they’d been seeing each other but I had no idea they were that serious.”  B’Elanna looked around main engineering.  Seeing what she was looking for, she called out loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Mr. Carey.  Come here a minute, please.”  Her voice rang out as it did when she was angry about something but had a slightly different quality to it today.  Tom recognized the humor in her tone, but he didn’t think the others would hear the difference including Joe.

“Yes, Lieutenant?” Joe spoke as he reached B’Elanna.  He didn’t seemed worried but he also clearly had no idea what B’Elanna wanted. Joe thought he and B’Elanna had established an excellent working relationship. This tone of voice was extremely unusual.

“Don’t “yes, Lieutenant’ me, Joe.  Why didn’t you tell me you and Sam were getting married?”  Joe was surprised and relieved.

“To be perfectly honest, B’Elanna, I haven’t had time off duty yet to tell my friends here in Engineering much less anyone else. I didn’t want to say anything until my shift was over because I knew it would disrupt the entire department.”

“And you didn’t think I could restore order in my department?”

“Oh, no, ma’am!  I know you could restore order, but I didn’t see any good reason for getting us all in trouble and upsetting our Chief Engineer.”

“Well, did you want to tell them because I have the feeling they all know now.” Joe looked around the department.  They had all clearly heard what B’Elanna and Joe had said and were waiting to see what B’Elanna’s reaction would be.

“I do want to tell them, Lieutenant.”

“Well, for the next ten minutes it’s B’Elanna and that’s how long you have to disrupt my department before I regain control.  Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Joe beamed.  As B’Elanna stepped towards Tom, she motioned the rest of the department to approach Joe.  For the next ten minutes Joe was the center of attention in Engineering.  As he sent his reluctant friends back to work, he turned to thank B’Elanna.

“Thank you, Lieutenant.  That meant a lot to me.  Most of us have been working together on Voyager for a long time.  I’m glad I could share my news with them like this.”  As Joe finished, Sam entered Engineering.  B’Elanna exchanged glances with Tom.

“Sam, congratulations!”  B’Elanna gave Sam a warm hug, and Tom kissed her on the cheek. “I am so happy for you two, Sam. I hope you’re always as happy as you are right now.” Sam was caught off-guard by B'Elanna’s comments but quickly recovered enough to respond.

“Thank you, B’Elanna.  I know we will be.”

“If he ever gives you any grief, Sam, you just let me know.  I know someone who has a mean left hook to the nose.”  Tom’s humor earned him a chuckle from Sam, a dirty look from Joe and a hard slap on the arm from B’Elanna.  Tom looked around the room.  The rest of the department had returned to work away from the foursome.

“Do you two have a couple of minutes?” Tom asked and looked to B’Elanna for her consent for the next thing he would say. The slight nod of her head was all the answer he needed.

“Joe, Sam, we are both truly happy for you. That’s why we want to share something with you.  B’Elanna has finally agreed to marry me, and I have Chakotay’s permission and the captain’s consent to the marriage.  I found out from the Commander when I was getting his permission.  He and the captain suggested that we talk to you before spreading our news.  We don’t want to detract from your wedding. This isn’t that big a ship so it could easily happen.”

Joe and Sam looked at each other. “Would you excuse us a minute?”  Sam tugged Joe’s arm and pulled him with her a few feet away where they could whisper in private. After exchanging comments, they returned to Tom and B’Elanna.

“We don’t mind one bit sharing our wedding plans with your wedding plans.  We can help each other out if you want, B’Elanna.”  Sam was confident about the sharing, but a bit hesitant about the helping each other out.   Joe stepped back toward the center of Engineering.

"What do you mean?" B'Elanna was confused.

"I mean, it won't bother us if you take some of the attention away from our wedding. As you said, it's a small ship and all that attention might be a bit overwhelming."

"All right, Sam, if you're sure."

Joe stepped back toward the center of Engineering. “Hey, everyone!” Joe's voice carried less authority than B’Elanna’s but was loud enough to be heard clearly by everyone on both levels.  “Gather around. B’Elanna had the pleasure of telling you that Sam and I were getting married.  Well, turnabout is fair play today.  I get to tell you that Tom and B’Elanna are getting married, too.  I’m taking a chance here, but you’ve got ten minutes to congratulate her before I have to restore order to her department.”

B’Elanna actually considered stopping the whole thing but in the end let Joe have his ten minutes.  After 9.5 minutes, Joe started herding the department members back to their duty stations.  Shortly thereafter, Tom and Sam head back for their duty stations.  As they left, Tom had to have the last say.

“Just remember folks, when you’re circulating the news that Joe and B’Elanna are getting married, make sure whoever you tell knows he’s marrying Sam and she’s marrying me.  You don’t want anyone to get the idea they’re marrying each other.” The whole department chuckled at Tom’s words remembering Joe’s broken nose and the first few weeks B’Elanna was on Voyager.